From Autogiro to Gyroplane The Amazing Survival of an Aviation Technology

Subjects:

• Science » Aeronautics/Astronomy
• Business » Business History

Reviews:

• Recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates through faculty.
  —Choice March 2004
• [p]rovides an excellent reference work on the afterlife of Cierva's rotary-wing principle, especially its 26-page bibliography of books, articles and films.
  —Air Power History Fall 2004
• Bruce Charnov has written an exceptional book, and the first to tell in detail quite extraordinary story of 80-years of autorotational flight aircraft. It should prove to be a valuable reference resource for many years to come.
  —New York's Channel 4 July 2003
• [S]uperbly lays out the entire and intriguing 80-year history of rotary-wing aircraft....From Autogiro to Gyroplane deftly and comprehensively examines the impacts of the Great Depression and World War II upon these motorized aircrafts, as well as the simply bad business decisions, and the lessons that the fate and persistence of the gyroplane has for other old, long lasting, yet ultimately fully functional technologies. From Autogiro to Gyroplane is a unique and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library aviation History collections.
  —Internet BookWatch October 2003
• The book is a history demonstrating academic rigour while providing a good read. The literature researched and presented is exhaustive and should provide further scope for study. The bibliography and the 'Essential Library' are truly impressive.The book is impressive.
  —Aerospace Professional June 2004
• It is thoroughly researched, well illustrated, and provides a wealth of references for the interested reader to follow up. The fluent writing style sets this book apart from academic peers in related fields-it is great read....This book is great piece of work.
  —Members Magazine September/October 2003
• Bruce's book will become "the bible" for autogiro/autogyro/gyroplane historians and will see no equal for decades....[t]his book delivers to the last cent.
  —Navigator July 2004
• Bruce Charnov's book is the first book to relate the full history of this remarkable mode of aerial transport. It is well-researched study that is never dull.
  —Vertiflight Fall 2003
• [T]his is the first comprehensive historical survey embracing both the Autogiro and the gyroplane, its closest modern counterpart. It is a comprehensive, well-referenced and well-indexed volume....If you feel you need just one good book on the subject, this is surely it.
  —Wingspan International, Number 22 April 2004
• Bruce Charnov has written an exceptional book, and the first to tell in detail the quite extraordinary story of 80-years of autorotational flight. It should prove to be a valuable reference resource for many years to come.
  —British Rotorcraft Association Members' Magazine Sep-Oct 2003
• Bruce Charnov's book is the first book to relate the full history of this remarkable mode of aerial transport. It is well-researched and never dull.
  —International Autogyro Quarterly 2003
• [A] great read....Bruce Charnov's enthusiasm for his topic leaps from the pages....This book is a great piece of work, may it be a huge success.
  —Wisconsin Bookwatch October 2003

Table of Contents:

• Preface
• Introduction
• Juan de la Cierva
• Cierva's Auutogiro
• Cierva and Harold F. Pitcairn
• Pitcairn and American Autogiro Development
• Development of the Direct-Control Autogiro
• American Advances, the C.30A Autogiro, and Cierva's Death
• Pitcairn After Cierva
• Pitcairn, the Kellett Brothers and the Coming of War
• The Autogiro Goes to War: The Allies
• The Autogiro Goes to War: The Axis
• Igor Bensen and the Development of the Gyrocopter
• Bensen, Tervamäki, Growth of the PRA and the Fairey Rotodyne
• Failure to Revive the Autogiro: Fairey Rotodyne, Umbaugh (Air and Space) 18A, Avian 2/180 and McCulloch J-2
• Transformation of the PRA: Ken Brock, Martin Hollmann and the Ultralight Revolution
• The Emerging Gyroplane Future
• Bibliography